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5^th Congress I HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I ^m "Tap"' 
2d bt'ssion I I No. 809 



Henry Cullen Adams 

(Late a Ri:prcsentativc from Wisconsin) 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 



* 



Fifty-ninth Congress 
Second Session 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
February 24, 1907 



SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
March 2, 1907 



Compiled und^r th^' direction of the Joint Committee on Printing 



WASHINGTON : : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : : 1^07 



•/\^~u^ 



JUN 6 1907 
D. OF L\ 




H@M=, frosE^K"^ e» j^m^ffiia 



TABLE OF CONTEXTS. 



Page. 

Priiceediii.t;s in the Housf 5 

Trayer by Rev. Henry X. Comkn, I). I) .S. 7 

Memorial addresse.s by — 

Mr. Nelson, of Wisconsin 10 

Mr. Sherman, of New York 16 

Mr. Hayes, of California - . 18 

Mr. McCarthy, of Nebraska 21 

Mr. Kabcock, of Wisconsin 24 

Jlr. Lever, of South Carolina 25 

Mr. Kennedy, of Ohio 28 

Mr. Otjen, of Wisconsin 30 

Mr. Stafford, of Wi.sconsin 32 

Jlr. Esch, of Wisconsin . :!5 

Mr. Davidson, of Wisconsin 38 

Mr. Itrown, of Wisconsin 43 

Mr. Jenkins, of Wisconsin 47 

rroceedinj;s in the Senate 50 

Memorial Address by — 

Mr. Spooner, of Wisconsin 52 

3 



Death of Representative Henry C. Adams 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE 

Monday. Jh<'cii/bcr j . 1006. 

This being the day designated by the Constitution for the 
annual meeting of Congress, the Members of tlie House of Rep- 
resentatives assembled in their Hall for the second session of 
the Fifty-ninth Congress, and at 12 o'clock m. were called to 
order by the Speaker. 

The Rev. Henry X. Couden. D. 1).. Cliaplain of the House, 
offered the following prayer: 

Internal (lod. onr Heavenly Father, .source of all ,i;ood, our 
hearts instinctively turn to Thee for wisdom, strength, and guid- 
ance as we thus gather from all .sections of our Union here under 
the Dome of its Capitol to conclude the work of the P'ift) -ninth 
Congress. We ble.ss Tliee for the laws with which Thou hast 
surrounded us, for the intelligence with which Thou ha.st 
endowe<l us, for the riches which ha\-e come down to us out <jf 
the past, for the splendid ojiportiuiities of the present, and for 
the bright hopes and promises of the future. Grant, O most 
merciful Father, that these Thy .servants may strive diligently 
to c(3nform their resolves and harmonize their enactments witii 
the laws which Thou hast ordained. 

Let Thy riche.st blessings descend upon the vSpeaker of thi.s 
House, that with characteristic zeal, energy, and coin-age he 

5 



6 . A/c///i>/-/ir/ .l(/(/rrssis: I f ciiry Cii lien Adams 

may guiik- tlir(jUi;h all its ilclii)eratioiis to the highest and best 
results. 

llhiniine from (jii liii^h the niimls of those who sit in jiulg- 
iiieiU upon the laws enacted \i\ the Congress that their decisions 
may l)e wise and just. Bless, we beseech Thee, the President 
of these ITnited States, his advi.sers, and all others in authorit_\-, 
that the alfairsof state may l)e wisely administered and the laws 
of the land faithfull>' executed, that the coordinate branches of 
the (Tovernment, thus working together and working with Thee, 
mav fulfill in larger measiu'e the ideals conceived of our fathers 
in "a government of the people, by the people, and for the peo- 
ple," that righteousness, truth, justice, peace, and good will 
ma\- obtain, to the honor and .glorv of Thy h<ily name. 

The empty .seats on the floor of this House remind us of the 
strong-mindeil, pure-hearted, nol)le men who occupied them, 
but ha\'e been called to the higher life since last we met. We 
thank Thee for their genial presence so long among us, the 
work they accomplished for State and nation, the sweet niem- 
or\' and illustrious examples left behind them. Be ver_\- near, 
O ( lod, our Heavenly Father, to the bereaved families, llphold, 
sustain, and comfort them by the lilessed hope of the inmiortal- 
it\' of the soul. 

Impart, we implore Thee, more of Th>'self luito us all, that 
we may become in deed and in truth sons of the living CVod after 
the similitude of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord ami Master. 
Amen. 

Mr. Nelson. Mr. vSpeaker, it becomes my painful duty to 
annovnrce the death of my distinguished predecessor, Hon. H. 
C. Adams, of Wisconsin, who died on his homeward journej' 
at the close of the last .session of Congress. At some future 
tlay I will ask that a time lie set aside in which the friends 
and associates of the deceased Member mav offer suitable trib- 



PrO('i\'('//iti^s ill tlir /foiist- 7 

iitc til his inemor>' and services. I iinw oIIlt the tullow iiiv; 

resolutidii. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

Ixfso/i'Cil, That the House lias Iteard with jircil'miiid surrow of tlu- death 
iif Hon. H. C. Adams, a Representative frriin the State nf Wiseutisin. 

The resfdiitioii was agreed to. 

h'lso/ffii. That as a further mark of respect to the ineinory of those 
Representatives whose deaths have been annoinn-ed this House do now 
adjourn. 

The re.solntions were agreed to. Accordingly, in piirstiance 

thereof, the Hoii.se (at 12 o'clock and 54 niiiuites) adjotirned 

until tii-ni(irrow at 12 o'clock noon. 

WedNESD.W, /(/«/^<7rr /''), IQOJ. 

Mr. Xei.sox. Mr. Speaker, I ask tnianimoiis con.sent for the 
present consideration of the t)rder which I send to the Clerk's 
desk. 

The ,SpK.\KKK. The gentleman from Wisconsin asks ttnani- 
mons consent for the present consideration of the order which 
the Clerk will report: 

The Clerk read as follows: 

ihdntti. That there be a .ses,sion of the House on .Sumlay, Februarv 24, 
1907, at 12 o'ch)ck ni., which shall be .set apart for memorial addresses on 
the life, character, and public .services of Hon. H. C .\l).\MS, late a Rep- 
resentative from the .Second Congressional district of Wisconsin. 

The ,SPE.\KKR. Without olijection, the order will he consid- 
ered as agreed to. 

There was no objection. 

SuND.W, I'lbntarv 2^. IQOJ. 

The Hoii.se met at 10 o'clock a. in. 

Prayer In' the Chaplain, Rev. Henry N. Couden, D. I)., as 
follows: 

/.(■/ not vour heart l><- tronhUd: jr biiicvr in Hod, believe also 
ill me. 



8 M'f»i(>r/i-if . liiiirtssis; /Iii/ry Ciilhii Adams 

1)1 III]' Falhii' s hoiisi' nil' iiiaiiy iikuisIoii^: if if rct'ii' 110/ so. I 
icoiild havi- told voii . I 00 lo f>iipait- a plaro foivoii. l-'oi—a'e 
kiipu' that if our 1 iirtlilv lious( of t/iis /tihriinnli -iCi ro di^solvid. 
;. V liaof a buildiiio of God, a house not made loith hands, olniial 
ill tlir Ihai'ciis. 

/■'or ill this 7i'f i^roaii. laiiiost/y drsirim; to />/■ itothcd 7.1th our 
house u-hiih is from lieai'eii : 

If so be tliat (leiirj; elotlied av sliall not be found iia/^ed. 

l-'oi r.v tliat are in tliis tabernaele do xio""- I'eini; burdened : 
not for tliat :oe icoiild be unelothed, but elothed upon, that iiior- 
talitv iiiii;ht be s:oallo7oed up of life. 

Xo70 he that hath h'roiioht us for the self'sanie thiiii; is (iod, 
reho also hath i^ii'en unto us the earnest of' the .Spirit. 

J-'or I oiii persuaded that neither death, nor lif'e. nor ani;<-ls. 
nor pi ineipalitii s. nor poit'ers. nor things present, nor thiiii; s to 
eoiiie. 

A'(ir heii,'ht, nor depth, nor any other ereature sliall be able to 
separate us from the love o/Crod, lohiih is in Christ Jesus our 
Lord. 

lUenial (rod, (lur hL-avtiily Fathur, whose heart goes nut in 
apprcjltation and Im-e tn thnsc who seek to do "^\\\ will and thus 
add to the sum nf human happiness and de])artin>; leave the 
world a little better that the\- have lived and wrought. 

We thank Thee for the men wdiose characters and deeds we 
are here to memorialize, men whose gifts and talents fitted them 
in an enunent degree for the onerous duties laid upon them li>- 
their fellow-citizens. Let Th>' blessing, we beseech Thee, be 
upon this service, that those who shall record their tribute of 
love and respect may inspire tho.se who shall come after them 
to faithful service. 

We thank Thee for the hope of innnoralitx' which lifts us in 
our better moments to larger life and nobler cleeds and which 



Pri'cccc/iiiifs ill tlir /fiitiX(' 9 

bids us look forward to a hritijlitcr wurlil 1)l-v(iiu1 the Cdiifmcs of 
t-arti;. Let Thine L-\'erlastin;4 arms he about those who niouru 
the h)ss of their <lear ones, and in Thine own good time l)riut; 
them to dwell together in one of the many mansions prepared 
for tliose who love the Lord, and Thine be the praise forever. 
Amen. 

Mr. Xki..S()X. Mr. Speaker, I offer the resolutions whicli I 
send to the desk. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

/\'fSol7'c'd, Tliat the liusiiR-ss iif the }I<iu.-.e lit- now suspemU-il that 
opportunity may be given for tributes to the nieniorv of Hon Hknkv C. 
Adams, late a Member of this House from the State of Wisconsin. 

Resolved, That as a particular mark of resjject to the memory of the 
deceased and in recognition of his distinguisheil public career, the House, 
at the conclusion of the exerci.ses of this ilay. shall stand adjourned. 

Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutioirs to the Senate. 

Resolved, That the Clerk .send a copy of these resolutions to the family 
of the deceased. 

The resolutions were luianimotisly agreed to. 



IC) .]/,///i'r/ti/ . l//(//c:ssfs: Ih'ury Cii/hii Adaii/s 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 



Address of Mr. Nelson, of Wisconsin 

Mr. vSi'Iv\i-:I':k: I)ul> ami desire alike prcjuipt me tci uffer to 
the nieiiiory <.)f the (listin.i;uishe<l dead a just and tender tribute. 
I was not within the inner circle of his friends, for he was of a 
generation just preceding my own, but I knew him personally 
and well for more than one-half the years of m>' life; and dur- 
ing all these \ears, however nnich at times we might chance to 
differ in our personal choice of measures, as of men, we were 
never on other than friendly terms; and his closest friends are 
now, it gives nie great pleasure to add, equalh- near and dear 
to me. 

It was on Monda\ , the 9th day of July, last sununer, that 
Hknkv Culi^EN Adam,s crossed the bar and .saw, face to face, 
his Pilot and his God. 

He was (5U his journey home. The first .session of the present 
Congress, in which he had played a somewhat .stirring, strenu- 
ous, and conspicuous part, had just ])assed into recoriled history. 
Against the urgent and the anxious counsel and advice of his 
colleagues and of his friends he had stayed to see the word 
' ' finis ' ' written at the end (.)f the last chapter. In thus playing 
his prescribed part in this drama of modern American liLstory 
making, ])layed as it is in the fierce lime li.ght of national ]iul)- 
licity, he had o\-erstrained his frail and l/ieii enfeebled health 
beyond the jioint its marvelous elasticity had permitted in the 
past. Thu.s the dreaded messenger overtook him, speeding 



Address o/Mr. Xc/son^ (i/U'/sioiisin ii 

lioineward hehiinl the motlern fiery foe of distance and of time, 
servint; tile inevitable sunnnons even l)efore he could reach 
again home, wife, children, and find rest. For a week or more, 
in a quiet room at the Auditorium Hotel, in Chicago, life grajv 
pled with death, hope fought despair; but at last his dauntless 
will gave way, and his innnortal spirit winged its long voyage 
across the silent ri\er and passed through the inward-swinging 
gates of eternity beyond the boundaries of time. 

To his many friends in his home State, and more particularh' 
to the connnunity in which fifty and six years of activity were 
spent, his departure came as a rude anti sudden shock. Con- 
gressman Ad.\ms had for years been a man of extremely frail 
physique, but he was so active, energetic, and self-reliant that 
no one who knew him was quite prepared for the sad news 
when the tidings of his mortal end flashed over the wires. The 
Obituaries, those humble handmaidens of History, dipped their 
gentle pens in the ink of brotherly love and wrote for the last 
time of his honorable parentage, his humble birth, his high edu- 
cational attainments, his splendid achievements in the affairs of 
men, ])raised his many virtues, forgot his frailties — for who 
hath none? — and now we — you, his colleagues, and I, his suc- 
cessor — in this Clongrcss would say the last word and do the last 
honor to the departed dead in the same spirit of kindly fellow- 
ship, for when face to face with the luisolved mystery of mys- 
teries who can have thought of aught but his brother's virtues? 
And so, hoping for mercy as we show mercy, we bow our heads 
in humility and speak most kindly of them we shall know again 
when the hourglass of our allotted time shall have run its 
unknown course. 

There were mourning and gloom manife.st in his home city, 
not merely in the trappings and outward tokens, the crape and 
drapery on doors, the floating flags on capitol, court-house, and 



12 



.]/i///i>//i!/ . Ii///n-ss/:s.- J/i ///■]' Cnll()i Adams 



city hall, Imt in the tL-arful t-\e, the spoken \-oice, and the sad 
hearts of all whom " Crij.v " ( as he was faniiliarh' called ) had 
encircled witliin the limits of his life. 

Thus it is written that Henky CullKN Adams was born 
in Verona, Oneida Comity, X. Y., November 2.S, i.sso. His 
father was Benjamin Franklin Adams, a \'ery cultured i;entle- 
nian and a graduate of Hamilton College, New York, in which 
in.stitution of learning he was for .some time professor of Creek 
and Latin. 

But the East was not to be the field of action in which the 
ambitions of Henry Cullen Adams should find de\'eloiiment. 
In the early fifties, all Init a balie in his mother's arms, his par- 
ents bore him with them westward. Thus it was that at the 
last session of Congress his voice rang out in clarion tones for 
wliat he believed to be the best interests of the West. 

Wisconsin had only shortly liefore l)een admitted into the 
proud sisterhood of .sovereign States, and to her virgin soil the 
elder Adams had directed his footsteps and upon that soil he 
wisely pitched his tent. At first the Adams famih- lived at 
Beaver Dam, later moved to Liljerty Prairie, and finalh- .settled 
near Madison, the old farm being now a jxirt of the capital cit\-. 

The elder Adams had a great love for agriculture. In this 
respect the influence of the father was strikingly reflected in 
his honored son. From his days upon the farm at Liberty 
Prairie agriculture and its kindred pursuits became the con- 
stant tlieme of his oratory and the field of his success. It was 
not, however, as a farmer, but as a champion and spokesman 
of farm industries, that Henry Ci'ixen Adams climbed the 
ladder of fame. 

He early realized that knowledge constitutes power. While 
doing his share of the work on his father's farm he longed for 
the magic wand — an education. It may be that the young man, 



Address (if Mr. A\-/soii, <>/' U'iuoi/sin 13 

looking into the dim vistas of the future with the prophetic eye 
of hope and ambition, saw gleaming on some far-away hilltop 
the dome of the National Capitol, which \i\ j>ursuing steadih' 
the pathwa}- of loyalty to Ceres he was ti_> reach before his 
journey's end. After the public .schools he attended for one 
year the little academy that lies nestled away from the main 
highways of men in the beautiful town of Albion. This little 
institution of learning, by the way, was destined to produce 
men in Wisconsin who have come to be leaders in law, letters, 
and ))olitics. The names of Justice Charles K. Bardeen and 
Senator Knute Nelson occur to me as illustrating the hi.gh type 
of its scholarship, and many of tliese noted men were class- 
mates of our departed friend. He was also for three years a 
student at the University of Wi.sconsin, but ill health, his cou- 
.stantly recurring affliction, prevented graduation, as it did his 
subsequent essa}' on a legal career. He undertook to read law 
in a law office, but was forced to desist, and thereupon engaged 
in the dairy and fruit business as an avocation, in which he con- 
tinued up to the last fifteen years, which, aside from his official 
duties, he largely devoted to real estate. 

Mr. Ad.\ms's activit>' in the great field he had made his life 
stndv was tuo extended and varied for me to review Axithin the 
limits of my time. It is enough to point out that b\- virtue of 
his superior education, clear and forceful rhetoric, and pro- 
found interest in agriculture his rise was rapid and continuous 
in the esteem and confidence of the farmers of his State. He 
was institute conductor, and one of the most popular. He 
became .secretary of the State Horticulture Society: then ])resi- 
dent of the State Dairymen's A,s.sociation, a field in whicli his 
greatest honors were won. He was for a long time an influ- 
ential member on the State board of agriculture. Linked with 
that of his devoted personal friend, former ( lovernor William 



14 Miiiiorid/ .ItJc/nssis: JI,/iry Ciilloi Adams 

Dempster Hoard, the name of Hknkv Citi^len Adams will 
l()n.!< lie f(niiKl high in the annals of agriculture and dairying 
nut ()nl\- in Wisconsin, l>ut in all the West. 

His political histor\- is equallx varied and extensive. It 
follows natnrally that a man so gifted as Mr. Ad.VMS should 
lie a leader in the great American pastime — politics. From the 
time he entered the legislative a.s,semlily, in the early eighties, 
up til his death, with the exception of a very few years, he was 
ser\-ing the public and his party in some high official position. 
He was a.ssenililyman, superintendent of public propert\-, dairy 
and food connnissioner, and Congressman. It was in the two 
latter positions that he did the greatest good for his fellow- 
men. His .successor as dairy and food connnissioner has given 
Mr. Adams very high praise for laying the foundations through 
wi.se legislation of the dairy and food department, perhaps the 
most essential department in the State government for the pro- 
tection (if the peojile from the injurious conse(piences of the 
sale of fraudulent adulterations of food. 

Mr. Adams was a Republican. He was high in the councils 
of the party. For years he w-as a member of the State central 
conunittee. In vState and Congressional conventions his \oice 
was generall>- heard, and frequently as presiding officer. He 
was, too, at one tune a delegate at large to the Republican 
national convention. But though a party man, he was never 
intensely partisan. He could differ with men and not harbor 
feeling. He was too full of the milk of human kindness to 
permit the base feeling of envy, malice, or hatred to corrode 
his heart. He loved his friends and clung to them, but he 
wanted no enemies and had extremely few. 

Mr. Adams was rich in his family life. He was married in 
iS7,S to Anna B. Norton, of Madison, a good wife and a gracious 
lady, who .still survives hnn. They have four children— two 



.-ItMi't'ss n/' Mr. A^r/so//, <>/ U'/scoiisiii 15 

sons and two daughters, splendid tyiK-s of manhood and 
womanhood. 

Henry Cullex Adams was of an imlependent mind. In this 
Hall he more than once demonstrated his moral courage and 
his independence. Nay, more; he displayed the highest c[uality 
(jf soul — that of .self-sacrifice. It was the verdict of his cx)l- 
leagues and of his friends when he passed away that in the 
service of his country he made the sacrifice, greater than which 
no man can make, for the land he loves and the welfare of its 
people. He gave all he had — his .strength, his life. 

The great bard of the Romans .sang of old ' ' Dulce et decorum 
est pro patria mori," a strain of patriotic sentiment that has 
reechoed in the hearts of men down to us through all the cor- 
ridors of time. And ma>- we not sa>- that if war has its heroism, 
no le.ss has peace, for who in public life does not know that it 
takes as nuich of moral courage and of self-sacrifice to stand up 
for conscience and for right on the liattlefields of peace as upon 
the wild, delirious fields of war? 



l6 Memorial .hhUcsscs: Hoiry Ciilloi .Uiaiiis 



Address of Mr. Sherman, of New York 

Mr. Si'KAKER: \'er>' trite liut \-er>- true is the statement tliat 
l)lcssings bri.Ljhten as the>' take their fliglit. Perspective adds to 
the beauty nf a scene. The great characters of the world have 
ever appeared greater as depicted in history than as seen by tlieir 
associates. The love of a mother for a child never appears (juite 
.so strong as when intensified b>- the death of the child. So it 
.seems to me to-day it is with our late friend. The sweetness 
of his character seems sweeter, its strength stronger, since he 
left us 

Henk\ C Aii.viis was a most inutsual personality. With the 
physical strength of a child, apparently frail in the extreme, he 
had limitless moral and mental courage; his rugged honest)' was 
as great as his muscular power was .slight. His mental equipoise 
was well-nigh perfect: his judgment of men and measures was 
superior; he was industrious, studious, painstaking, wishing 
ever to carry more than his portion of every burden. 

He was persistent, was aggre.ssive, and yet his thought of 
others was so kindly that the aggressiveness was never offensive. 
He was true — true to every public trust intrusted to him : true to 
those whom he called friend. He was nol)le — noble of thought, 
of word, of deed. He was Christ-like — bear nie witness his 
colleagues wdio .saw him day by day, saw him as lie struggled to 
accomplish something for the betterment of some cxindition, saw 
him as with his ringing \-oice and clear diction he oppo.sed some 
action with the wisdom of which he could not assent. \\'as e\-er 
unkind word heard to come from his lips? 



.hidrcss of Mr. S/ienimii, of Kczc York 17 

He accorded to others with whom he radically differed hon- 
est>' of thought and action. In all the hundreds of men who 
have come and gone during my nearly a score of years of service 
here I ha\c known, admired, lo^•ed manw Some have disclosed 
wondrous strength of intellect, some superior courage, some 
special con.sideration for others, some unusual industr>-, devo- 
tion to duty, capacit>' for accomplishment — ail integrit\ — and 
yet, as I mentalh' call the roll of those who.se earthly work has 
closed, I think of none who possessed so many of the character- 
istic which attract and hold friends, ,so much of brightne.ss. of 
sympath\-, of loving-kindne.ss, of sweetne.ss of character, as dear 
"Ct'i.lv" An.v.MS. 

H. Doc. 809, 59-2 2 



Mfiiiorial Addresses: /Icitrv Culleii Adams 



Address of Mr. Hayes, of CALiFORm^ 

Mr. SpkakKK; More tliaii thirt>' years ago, while a .student 
at the University of Wisconsin, I first became ac(.|uainted with 
Henkv Cri.LEN Adams. In his younger life, when I knew 
him in Wisconsin, he manifested the same qualities of mind 
and heart which distinguished him in his last days as a Meml)er 
of this House. An honest, open-hearted frankness, and ex- 
treme loyalty to any cause which he espoused were perhaps his 
nio-st marked characteristics as a youth, as a citizen, and as a 
legislator. Indeed, Mr. Ad.v.ms posses.sed many of the (jualities 
that justly make men great, beloved, and distinguished. He 
was a loving and loyal fiiend and had arisen to that height of 
.soul development where he could forgive his enemies. Quick 
tn hear the voice of conscience he pursued with fidelity the 
course which duty pointed with a boldness and courage wdiich 
elicited the admiration and praise of all who knew him or 
watched his public career. This House, during his .serx'ice here, 
hatl frequent exhibitions of the zeal and fearles.sness with which 
he advocated tho.se mea.siu'es which he believed to be right, and 
with which he fought in almost savage ferocit)- those things in 
legislation and in the conduct of tlie business of the Hou.se 
which he believed to lie wrong. 

Of old American stock, his soul was loyal to that perfect law 
(if liberty for which his fathers strove, and he alwa\s granted to 
others all the freedom of thought and conduct which he claimed 
and exercised for him.self. He had no jiatience with the niethuds 
bv which men sumetimes .seek to hamper the exercise ol those 
rights 1 if conscience which all men having an^■ of the elements 



At/i//'rss ofMr. Hayes, of California 19 

of greatness recognize as our clearest heritage. He carried tliis 
spirit of toleration into his duties here, and in all his relations 
with his colleagues he was al\va\s courteous, gentle, and manly, 
although he did not hesitate in debate to call things 1)\' their 
right names and hit hard and directly from the shoulder tluxse 
things that aroused his opposition. In these things we, his 
colleagues, may with profit follow in his footsteps. 

Mr. Al).\.Ais's pulilic career pmperly began with his election 
to the legi.slature of Wisconsin in iS.S;, but the wurk which 
most entitles him to the gratitude of the people of his State was 
that which for eight >'ears he did as dairy and food inspector (jf 
the State of Wisconsin. The knowledge and experience gained 
by him in the conduct of that office jmj\'ed to be of innnense 
value to the House and to the country during the last session of 
Congress in the preparation and pas.sage of the meat-inspection 
measiire and the pure-food bill, in both of which lie took a 
prominent part. In the death cjf Mr. .\iiams just at the most 
u.seful period of his life the country at large has lost an a1)le, an 
hone.st, and a con.scientions legislator, and the agricultural in- 
terests of the country an intelligent and faithful friend and 
representative. 

Mr. Speaker, I believe that without offense to his friends or 
to the proprieties of this occasion I may sjieak of a matter jiurely 
personal to Mr. Ad.^ms. Kven when I knew him as a student 
the disea.se which must have made a large part of his life a con- 
.stant pain and which ultimately caused his death had already 
fastened it.self upon him. This disease forced him to give up 
his university course Ijefore it was fully completed and to ab.-ui- 
don whate\'er ambitions projects he may, in his early manhood, 
ha\-e cherished fur himself. He devoted himself to agricul- 
tural pursuits in the hope, no doubt, that an outdoor life would 
restore him to perfect health and strength. This ho]ie was 



20 



Mfiiion'a/ .li^iirissrs: Ifriirv Ciilliii Adams 



never fully realized. Althousli liaiidicapped !)>• this lack of 
health and streii.t^th, he was always most cheerful, and his 
fellow-citizens, recogniziny; his ability and worth in spite of the 
disease which would lia\e made of most men hypochondriacs 
and. invalids, continued to advance him from one position of 
trust and responsil)ilit>- to another where the labor inci<lent Xo 
his official duties so ahsorlied him as to make him .ilmost forj^et 
his physical ailment. To comparatively few men has come in 
such great measure the confidence and respect which those 
of his fellow-men who liest knew him freely and generousl\- 
accorded to Mr. Ad.vms. As I look over his life since I have 
known him, and think of the terrible ])hysical hanilicap under 
which he labored, I am surprised that he was able to accomplish 
so much that will be of lasting benefit to his State, to his coun- 
trv, and to his fellow-men. But the years we .spend in this world 
are onl>- the beginning of eternity. The grave is onh' the open 
door to larger opportunity, to grander effort, to lidlier, nobler 
living. Not as the light of a candle which flickers in the dark- 
ness for a brief time and then goes out forever is the life of man, 
but rather as the light of the sun which, after the work of the 
da_\-, goes down onlv to rise again upon otlier scenes, to warm 
and stinuiiate other fields, other trees and flowers. And .so as 
we pay trilnites to the memor>- of our departed colleague, let us 
hope that the sun of life which in this world was .somewhat 
oljscured for him by tile clouds of ithysical weakness may have 
ri.sen full orbed and clear upon that innnortal life into which he 
has entered. 



^l<iiir( ss o/Mr. MiCnrtliw nj' Xtiirdska 2i 



Address of Mr. McCarthy, of Nebraska 

Mr. Si'EAKkk: With niiiitjled feelings of pain and jiriilc I 
rise to say a few words ret;ardin:< the Hfe and cliaracter of lion. 
H. C. ADA:\is. I am overwhehiied with sorrow \vhen I reflect 
upon the nation's loss, Ids State's los>, antl his family'-^ loss. 
Tile nation has been deprived of the services of a .tjreat, ,t;o(id, 
and conijietent Rei)resentative. The State of Wisconsin has 
suffered an eqnixalent loss, and his faniil>- has heen bereft of a 
wise, kind, and indtdL^ent husliand and father. 

A certain sort of mental jileasure is reali/.eil, liowe\'er. in beint; 
able to honestly offer e\-idence of his noble character and dexnted 
loxaltv to the conntr\- he lo\-ed scj well, his loft>- ideals, and liis 
liii;li and nol)le pnrposes. 

It is ncj exaggeration to assert that Mr. Ad.vms was a con- 
strnctive statesman and an ideal Congressman. He was honest 
in all things and carefnl and painstaking^ in all things. He jios- 
sessed the conrage of his convictions and ne\er side stejiped or 
flinched in the performance of what he concei\'ed to l;)e his ilnt\', 
and never "dodged a record vote," or anything else, through 
fear of personal consecpiences, as many others in this da\- and 
generation do. His word was as good as a gold bond, and he 
kept his jiromises like a man that he was, and stood out " four- 
square to all the world and e\'ery wind that blows." 

Xotwithstanding his public career was cut short b>- the ' ' grim 
reaper," death, of which I am confident he was admonished 
months in advance, he was iiidefati.gable in the perfi.irmance of 
his public duty. 



22 A/ri)/oriaI . h/i/rrsst-s: Ilciirv ( 'iillcii A<ia»is 

By reason of his lonn and successful experience as State food 
and ilairv conmiissionei' of Wisconsin, where such subjects are 
thoroughly understood, he was technicall>' qualified to dictate, 
in some measure, the most iinjiortant legislation passed l>y Con- 
.gres.-, during his nieniljershi]). And it is also a matter of com- 
mon knowledge, at least among his colleagues in this Chamber, 
that in the preparation of the ])ure-food bill and the law govern- 
ing the inspection of packin.g houses and meat products the tech- 
nical knowled.ge and natural .genius of H. C. Adajis exercised 
a potent influence t)n legislation. This statement can be cor- 
roljorated b\- the President of the T'nited .States and the Secre- 
tary of Agriculture. Certain distinguished gentlemen ma>' vie 
with each other for all the honor of this new and important 
legislation, l)Ut the fact remains the legislation itself bears the 
well-known earmarks of H. C. Adaii.s. He was not an e.gotist, 
never sounded his own prai.se or Iwasted of his own achieve- 
ments, and the world may never know what he has done to 
make it better. 

Had his life been spared it is certain he would ha\e developed 
into one of the most prominent and u.seful Members of this body. 

It can be truly said of Mr. Adams that he .sacrificed his life in 
the service of his country if ever patriot did. He was ex- 
hausted by his arduous labors in the committee and on the floor 
of the House, yet he was always on guard and ne\-er known to 
desert the post of duty or complain of long hours or hardships 
when the weal or woe of his country or constituents were at 
stake. 

He was not ' ' all things to all men ; ' ' Init he was the same 
Adainls t(^ all men ; he played no favorites, and everyone knew 
where to find him at all times and under all conditions and 
circumstances. 



/iddrcss ofMr. Mi C(7i'///\\ of .Yebraska 2^ 

I am rc-lial)l\- informed that he was a desceiulant of John 
Adams on one side and of Daniel Webster on the other. \\'orth\- 
was lie of that proud inheritance, and 1)oth lines of ancestors 
have been honored by his life, his conduct, and his example to 
posterit}-. 

' ' Gentle be the summer rains which fall upon his grave, ' ' and 
ma.y his survivors and posterity forever stand firmh- for the 
principles for which he and his illustrious ancestors lived and 
.lied. 



24 Ml n/di/ir/ . l(/i/r(SS(s: lliiiry Culliii Admiis 



Address of Mk. Babcock, of Wisconsin 

Mr. vSpEAKKk: Tlic death of Hun. H. C. Adams, of Wis- 
con.sin, was a calamity to the vState and nation. I had known 
him for many years. His character was as sturdy as the oak, 
and his ideas of rii^-ht and wmii.t; were so tlioroiii^lily fixed 
that there never conld l)e an>- (|uestion as to his inte,t;vity. 
His wide experience and i)n1ihc career had especially fitted liiin 
to perform the dnties of a Member of Congre.ss, and it was 
his work and his de\-otion to dnty that were largely responsiVile 
for his death. His ideas on ]nil)lic matters were alwa\s well 
digested and clear in his own mind, and his abilit\' to exjiress 
them was recognized by practicalh' all ot the Members of this 
body. His physical make-np was too weak to support the 
brain and mind of the man who was constantly at work in the 
interests not only of the district which he represented, liiU of 
the whole country. 

I loved him as a brother and feel his loss keenly. His high 
character and manly instincts will be an example for the com- 



Ai/ifi'css i>/ A/r. Lc:ui\ o/ Sdiit// C'nro/nia 



Address of Mr. Lever, of South Carolina 

Mr. Spkakek: Xothinif tliat I can say in enlog^- of the late 
Henry C. Adams can measure my admiration of him as a man 
or give my real appreciation of his service as a coworker in this 
Congress. 

In an intimate acquaintanceship, covering his entire service 
in Congress, I found hiui to Vie an affalile, genial, candid, and 
at the .same time earnest and intelligent man. Toward all 
great questions involving the interest of liis fellow-citizens his 
attitude was easily ascertainable. He concealed noth.ing, and 
expres.sed his opinions with the utmost candor and with a force 
which can come onl\- as the result of inten.se earnestness. As 
a companion, he was engaging; as a conversationalist. alwa>s 
interesting; as a fellow-worker, always reliable, and a'- a pubhc 
servant he approximated the ideal. Of frail physicpie and 
always in wretched health, it would not be hard to imagine him 
as a person of morose and cross disposition. IH health too often 
embitters the sweetest disposition. With Mr. Ar).\MS it was 
not thus; on the contrary, he was an ojitimist in his disposition. 
He loved the beautiful, was moved to tears b\- music, and was 
a disciple of that faith which regards the world as growing bel- 
ter day by day, and sees in life something worth itsli\-ing. He 
enio\-ed a good joke and delighted to entertain his frientls with 
numerous reminiscences tif his own exjierience. All in all, his 
was a most lovable character, and uplifted and ennol)led those 
whose privilege it was to come in contact with it. 

In politics Mr. Ad.vms was a Republican, and yet I feel that 
it can Ije safely said of him that he was ne\'er a parti-^an in the 



26 Mciiniyial . h/i/rt'ssrs: Hriirv Ciilhii Adams 

offensive nieanintv of that word. It was my pleasure to serve 
with him on the threat Connnittee on Agricultine for a number 
of years, and yet I ilo not recall a single partisan utterance as 
falling from his lips. To the members of this connnittee from 
the South he was especialh- considerate. I take it that it was 
not a tribute to them jiersonally, but a liberal and intelligent 
recognition of the wonderful agricultural and industrial possi- 
bilities of that great section from whence they came. There 
never came before that connnittee a proposition looking to the 
development of the vSouthern interests which did not enli.st his 
sympathy and acti\'e help. He was absoluteh' nonsectional in 
his views, and, if anything, he gave preference to the South. 

No man on the committee, I dare say no man in the House, 
was so thoroughly conversant with agricultural problems in 
this country, both in their .scientific and practical aspects, as was 
the deceased. His whole life was given to a special .study of 
agriculture in all its varied pha.ses ; his knowledge of it was 
intimate, so much .so that he was regarded in Congress and by 
the country as an authority. To develop the agriculture of the 
countrv, to make farm life pleasant, to educate and train the 
farm boy and farm girl to a better conception of the manifold 
advantages of farm life, to impress upon the country the value 
of .science in agriculture, to demon.strate the necessity' of care 
and intelligence as a prerequisite for successful agriculture — 
all these, and more, made up the life work of this good man. 
He was an enthusiast upon the subject, and though buffeted 
and browbeaten by prejudice and misunderstanding, his op- 
timism never deserted him nor his faith in the coming of a 
time when ideal farm conditions should prevail in this countr>- 
leave him. 

It was this enthusiasm, this Ijelief that a good fight for a 
worthy cause could not fail, which induced him to ititroduce and 



.-ItM/Tss of Mr. Lever, of Soiitli Carolina 27 

fight tlirough Congress a Ijill douliling thi.- appr(:)priati(5n to the 
State experiment stations of the countr>-. \Vh(i can forget the 
earnestness, the vigor, the persistency, the tenacity which 
marked his efforts in this behaU"? Nothing could daunt him. 
nothing could stem the tide of his enthusiam. The opjiosition 
was brushed aside by the justness of his cause and b>- the elo- 
quence and earnestness with which he presented it, and this 
one act, this one supreme and triumphant effort in behalf of the 
American farmer, is sufficient to make Henry C. Adams one of 
the splendid characters of our history. And when agriculture 
receives that recognition to which she is entitled, when our 
farmhouses are filled with educated and happy occupants, and 
when ideal conditions have been reached, his name will l)e re- 
vered along with that of Morrill and Hatch. Can any higher 
tribute be paid to an>' man than to give him equal rank with 
those men in our history who have wrought most effectively and 
wisely for the greatest industry of the nation? The time will 
be when the name of Auams will l)e whispered in re^•erence by 
every man who believes in an educated agricultural people. 

Loyal to his friends, liberal in his views, independent in his 
opinions, courageous in his convictions, an aggressive fighter, 
a .skillful debater, an eloquent advocate, an earnest worker, a 
wi.se legislator, he was the embodiment of all the elements 
essential to the highest type of American citizenship, anil the 
bright example of his life and work may well .serve as a guide 
.star for those of us he has left behind. 



28 A/(ii/iiriii/ . l(/ih-(SS(s: lldiiv Cnlliii.ldaiiis 



Address of Mr. Kennedy, of Ohio 

Mr. Speakkk: 1 first heoainc acquainted with Mr. Adams at 
the Ijej^inninu; of the Fifty-eishtli Congress. In the short, very 
short, period within whicli I knew him I learned his wondrous 
(juahties of heart and mind and to appreciate Mr. Ad.vms, in a 
measure at least, as he deserved. 

Mr. Adams was jiossessed of sterling (pialities; was a coher- 
ent and lii>;ical thinker, his mind invariably reaching right and 
correct conclusions nn all of the great social prolilems of his time 
and with a courage unfaltering and steadfast that led him to 
ailhere to the right as he knew it. The.se characteristics being 
dominant in this representative of the people whose memory 
we connnemorate to-day, it seems inipos.sible that any words 
which we can set in order here upon this Sabbath ofsormw 
would exaggerate the ])ublic loss in the death nf Hknkv 
CiLLKX Adams. 

His work in the National House of Representati\'es was sud- 
denh' interrupted by death almost as soon as it wasliegun, Imt 
in the brief period while he was associated with us he con- 
quered to himself a jilace in our respect by his \-igorous intellect. 
His (jualities of heart and soul won iniiversal friendship and 
affection. 

It was ni\- privilege to know him somewhat intimatelw and I 
know of niithing sadder than the regret of that great mind and 
SI lid at its own limitations imposed by Iwdily weakness. While 
seldom well, and never strong, Mr. Ad.\ms was alwa>s clieer- 
ful and lo\aljle. Those who knew him best had for him the 



.^^(•/ri-ss of }f)\ I\'('iiii,'(U\ <>l Oliiii 10) 

warmest affection and must protOmid resiiect. As a RfinesLiil 
ative both his influence and his v(jte were used and adminis- 
tered as a sacred and lioh' trust in the interests of those whom 
he represented, and in bringing my humble tribute to his mem- 
ory I wish to conchide with the thought that whate^•er he did 
was well done, as if his Hfe had lieen molded and controlled by 
the sentiment of the jioet when he said: 

Do good! Do noble deeds! 

Xot dream them all day lout;. 
So thai life and death 
Anil the vast fore\-er shall he 

One jjrancl, sweet song. 



30 MciHoriij/ .Itidrissis: Ihiiiy Culloi Adains 



Address of Mr. Otjen, of Wisconsin 

.Mr. vSpeakhk: We meet to-day to pay our tribute of respect 
to the memory and character of Henkv CrixEX Adams. Mem- 
ber of Congress from the vSecond district of Wisconsin. 

He left Washington shortly after the adjournment of the first 
.session of the Fifty-ninth Congress for liis home in Madison. 
On arriving at Chicago he was taken sick, and after an illness 
of a few days died at the Auditorium, in that citw In his 
death his State and his nation sustained a great lo.ss. 

Mr. .\u.\.:\is held many important positions of trust and honor, 
both public and private, in his State. He .served iiis State as a 
member of the assembly, superintendent of public property, and 
dairy and food commissioner. In November, 1902, he was 
elected a Member of the Fifty-eighth Congress. Few men were 
so well qualified by experience and training for the inqiortant 
duties required of a Member of Congress. 

He was a man of great force and ability, kindly and genial in 
manner. He liad that quality usually known as " good common 
sense" in the highest degree. He made friends easil>- and 
quickly, and soon won a prominent position among liis associates 
in the House of Representatives. His Congressional career 
was exceptionally successful. In his term of three sears he 
accomplished much, especially for the agricultural interests of 
his State and nation, and they have cause to remember him with 
gratitude. 

His duties as a member of tlie Committee on Agriculture in 
the Fiftj'-ninth Congress were exceedingly important and ardu- 



Address ()/ Mr. O/j'rii, i>/ ll'isioiisni 31 

ous. In the legislation relating to meat inspection his ser\ices 
were most valuable. The President called him into consultation 
upon this important legislation, and its satisfactory soluti(jn was 
largely due to his extended knowledge of the subject and his 
good judgment. His response to the call of duty in the clo.sing 
days of that important .session of Congress overtaxed his 
bodily strength and undoubtedly was the jirincipal cause of his 
untimely death. 

Life is a great my.stery. The object and purpo.se of our being 
here are not made clear to us. Men .strive here to attain the 
highest purpose, to gain the greatest .succe.ss in life, and we may 
well ask, What is success? Some conceive it to be one thing, 
some another. Many strive after wealth as if it were the most 
desirable and highe.st object to be obtained. ' ' CuLLV ' ' Ad.\.'\is, 
as he was familiarly known, had that which money can nut 
l)uy. He had earned the respect, the confidence, and love of 
his neighbors and fellow-men. What greater success can one 
gain in this world than to win the love and esteem of mankind ? 

Most of his life was spent in exposing fraud and deceit and 
in the betterment of humanity. The world has gained some- 
thing through his life; it has been made l)etter thereby. He 
was honest, faithful, and true, and in all positions of life met 
every requirement of right and duty. His State mourns his 
loss. 



32 



Miiiiuria/ Aiidii'SMs: J Liny LiilUn Adams 



Address of Mr. Stafford, of Wisconsin 

Mr. Sphakkk: On IIiIn Sabbath, in the Hall ni which he 
s(i well (listini^uished himself, we come to lay our garlands of 
prai.se to the late Henrv Ci'ij.KN Adams in the memorial 
record.s of Congress, and to pay trilnite to his nobility of 
character, his high ideals of public duty, his eminence as a 
legislator, and his worth as a man. 

To accord him a pmper place in the legislative annals, 
attention sliDuld be directed to his independence in political 
action, tn his devotion to ]irinciple, and to his adherence to 
right d(jing in every endeavor. 

He was too conscientit)US and too forceful a character to 
surrender meekh' to rule and numliers when he held fixed 
ciinvictidus. This trait was exemplified in his position on 
several measures in his la.st year's ser\-ice in Congress that 
brought him distinction and renown. Notal)l>- may be men- 
ti(.Mied his stand in op])osition to joint statehood and to free 
trade with the Philippines. His courageous and independent 
position on these measures, though it lowered heav>' and 
undeser\'ed criticism upon him, marks more than aught else 
his strong personalit\- antl his courage to do right as he .saw it. 
Not onl\- was his independence of action conunanding. but 
his judgment on large public questions was respected for its 
conservatism and soundness. Again, he was gifted with voice 
and phrase t<i claim distinction as an orator antl with poignancy 
of rejiartee to be classed as a strong debater. The CoN- 
(iRKSSioNAi, Rkcokii will bear lasting testimou\- to his keen 
mentalit\- and to his conunand of good English. 



Ac/iirrss (>/Mr. Sfaffoni, of U 'istdiisiii 33 

])orn and reared on a farm, lie liad the advantage of the 
academic training at the State l'ni\-ersit\- at Madison that 
stanii)ed him indehhly as a college-lired man. The \-arious 
positions of trust and responsibility that he filled before his 
elevation to Congress as vState legislator and in administrative 
capacities equipped him for the role he was to play in the 
larger and more responsil)le jiosition of Representative. 

It can be said without hyperbole of statement that few 
Representatives in three years of service attained a more com- 
manding position and rose so rajsidh* to eminence as Mr. 
Adams. 

His greatest public service was as arbitrator of the differences 
arising from the meat-inspection measure, where the expert 
knowledge he had acquired years before as State dairy and food 
commissioner placed him in the unique position of lieing best 
qualified to speak as to the need of (rovernnient inspection and 
as to the proper legislation to safeguard the interests of the 
public. Though he triumphed in the settlement of a dispute 
of great consequence to humanity's cau.se, his great effort in 
achieving this result accelerated inKpiestionably within two 
weeks of its accomplishment his initimely end. 

With greatly impaired health, he gave close application to 
every detail connected with legislative work, which was a 
marvel to all who knew his sufferings. Many a time in the last 
three months of his .ser\'ice good friends, seeing his failing 
health, urged and cautioned him to rest, but, impelled with that 
strange call of duty, he heeded not their admonitions to rest 
for his own sake. 

But though he suffered and labored under greatest difficult)', 
no complaint and no wailings were ever uttered to his inti- 
mates, for his temperament was roseate by nature, and it shone 
II. Doc. Suy, 59~2 3 



34 Ah-iiiorial Addressrs: I/iiiry Cnlhii Adams 

more resplt-mlent because of its eiivelopineiit in the mask of 
suffering;. 

It is inexpressibly sad to have a conscientious pubhc servant 
sacrifice his life on the public altar, and especially where health 
is broken and where every effort seems to reduce the vitality 
one jot more until the last drop is drained. Those of robust 
and sturdy constitution fail to contemplate the indomitable and 
overpowering will that impels these frail crafts with keen men- 
talities to keep aloft in their aspirations and achievements. 

Dead in his prime, Mr. Ad.\ms sacrificed his own life to the 
welfare of the people's cause, and he died a martyr in the high- 
est calling of unselfish devotion to duty and of performance 
well done. In his passing away, the Second district has lost a 
capable Representative, the vState a high-minded citizen, and 
the people a faithful public servant. 



Aiidrrss of Mr. Escli^ oj II '/sc(///s//t 35 



Address of Mr. Esch, of Wisconsin 

Mr. Speaker: Durini^- the fiftN'-niiit _\'ears of Wisconsin's 
statehood she has sent eighty-eight different individuals to 
represent her in this body. Of this number six have died in 
ofSce: Luther Hanchett. Benjamin F. Hopkins, Joseph Rankin, 
Wilham T. Price, George E. Shaw, and, last, Hexrv Ci'i.len 
Adams, whose life and services we this day commemorate. 

It is a .sad duty to speak a final word for those who lea\-e us 
filled with years and honors, hut sadder still is it to voice our 
sorrow for the friend and colleague the sands of whose life 
have but half run. Memorial exercises such as the.se are 
proper in that they afford us an opporttinity, in the midst of 
our public cares and labors, to give our estimate of the life and 
services of the dead. Through our words we ma\' inspire tho.se 
who read to enuilate that which we find In l.ie true and just and 
of good report. 

In the death of Mr. Ad.v.ms, \\'isc>>nsin lost a most capable 
and experienced Repre.sentatixe. With a broad kncjwledge of 
pul)lic aiTairs and thorough understanding nf men and measures, 
he entered the Fifty-eighth Congress well equipped to win for 
hiuLself a successful legislative career. As a practical farmer, 
as State dairy and food commissioner, he acquired a reputation 
as an expert on agricultural subjects which extended far be- 
yond the borders of our Jstate. From the very beginning he 
took an active part in shaping legislation affecting the agricul- 
tural interests of the country. His arguments in favor of the 
oleomargarine bill in the public prints and before committees 



36 MLiiion'al .{(icircssis: Jhnry Cullcii .Idaiiis 

(jf Congress were largely instrumental in securing its passage. 
Ilis appointment as a member of the Committee on Agriculture 
1)\- the present Si)eaker of the House was a fitting recognition 
of his ])ecnliar fitness. He did not disaiipoint the expectations 
of his friends. Realizing the valuable work of the various 
agricultural experiment stations of the United States, and that 
with an increase of funds at their disposal this work could be 
largelv increased, he at once introduced a liill with this end 
in view. Nothing more finely illustrated a distinctive trait of 
Mr. Al).\ms's character as to fixity of purpose and indomitable 
will than the patient, courageous, and splenditl fight he made 
f(ir his bill. After the lap.se of many weeks and months he 
won. He deserved to win, and as a result his memor}' lives in 
the chief .seats of learning of almost every State in the Union. 

Lovalty to duty was another trait of character which Mr. 
Ad-VMS possesseil in large measure. All of us were impres.sed 
b\- it during the hearings and consideration of the meat-inspec- 
tion legislation in the closing days of the last session. No man 
in either house had, on questions pertaining to inspection and 
the packing interests, greater practical or scientific knowledge. 
He entered heart and soul into the whole subject-matter, he 
spared not him.self, his opinions were sought, he was called into 
counsel by the President, and when obstacles aro.se he helped 
to smooth the way. All this he did, but at what a sacrifice! 

Nature in the disposal of her favors had endowed him with a 
feeble body, but vouchsafed to him a clear, strong, and active 
mind. A mind so strong as to enable him to sustain for years 
an enfeebled frame through the sheer power of will. However, 
those sultry, nerve-rackin.g, laborous da>s which marked the 
clo>e of the last session slowly sapped the small reserve of Mr. 
Ad.vms'S vitality, and day by day his feeling of exhaustion in- 
creased. Two weeks before the adjournment we .ulvi.sed him 



.hidii'ss ii/' Mr. Iisiii, n/ 11 '/.S(i)//s//i T)"] 

to leave Washington for the mountain^ nr the .seashore. With 
characteristic spirit he repHed, "lean not go away. I nuist 
stay liere until the pure-fooil and nieat-insi)ectiou bills have 
pas.sed." And so he stayed, and early in July proceeded on his 
homeward journey, only to die on the wa\-. 

Mr. Adajis'.S lo3-alt>' to duty found a counterpart in his loy- 
alty to his friends. During stress of recent political storms he 
always stood steadfast. With frankness and courage he pro- 
claimed his faith and stoically abided the consequences. He 
faithfully followed the poet's injunction: 

To thine own st-lf be true, 
■ And it must follow as the nii^ht the day. 
Thou canst not then be false to any man. 

His friends he numbered by the score in all parts of our State. 
He bound them to him as with hoops of steel through the 
warmth and generosity of his nature. To the need\- and help- 
less his heart and hand were ever open. 

The citizen with decision of character, generosit)-, broad- 
mindedness, and high ideals is sure to be a man of influence 
and pidjlic spirit in his cit>-, district, and State. Such was our 
deceased colleague. In matters economic, political, and educa- 
tional he played a leading part, and the force and effect of his 
example will long abide. 

In his domestic relations Mr. Ad.v.ms was singularl>- happy. 
The mecca of all his pilgrimages was his own hearthstone. The 
love of wife and children lielped him to forget his bodily suffer- 
ings and to inspire him to greater achievements. In him the 
spirit seemed ever to be willing. Xow his life work is ended, 
for "Crod's finger touched him and he slept." 



38 Miiiioinil -liidnssfs: Ihnry Ciillcn Adams 



Address of Mr. Davidson, of Wisconsin 

Mr. vSpeakek: In compliance with a custom hoiKjrecl in its 
observance we have met to pa>- our trilmte of Un-e to the 
memory of a deceased colleague. 

As the closina; hours of the Fifty-ninth Congress approach, 
with all the tumult and strife which usually attend the close 
of a session, it is eminently proper that we pau.se ou this sacred 
da>- an<l (piietly review the life and work of one who served 
well and faithfully the people who honored him, HiCXKV 
Cui.LKX Ad.\ms, late a Memfier of this House from the 
State of Wisconsin. 

His career here, all too short, was yet sufficiently long to 
gain for him the cordial friendship and esteem of his colleagues 
and, in turn, fur him to demonstrate his ability as a legislator 
in the National House of Representatives. 

Mr. Ad.viis from young manhood strove to make his life a 
benefit to the community in which he lived. For a number of 
years he was prominent in the inil)lic affairs of Wisconsin. 
For four years he served that vState as a member of its legis- 
lature, during which .service he aiiled in securing legislation 
intended to protect the people from adulteration in food prod- 
ucts, and especially in dairy products. A farmer and the .son 
(jf a farmer, his natural instinct led hin\ to become interested 
in the development of the agriculture of the country. 

As president of the Wisconsin I)air\-meu's xVssociatiou and 
also as the dairy and food commissioner of Wisconsin, in which 
latter office he .ser\'ed for eight years, he devoted his energy 



Address of Mr. Daridsou, of JVisiOiisiii 39 

and his ability not only to the enforcement of the laws, but in 
developing broader ideas among the dairymen of the vState and 
the consumers of the dairy products, in order that they might 
work harmoniously together for the advancement of the inter- 
ests of an industry which is so vital to the prosperity of our 
State. 

It was during this period that the Congress of the I'nited 
States enacted a law to pre\-ent the sale of oleomargarine col- 
ored in imitation of butter. Those who were engaged in that 
contest have always appreciated and been grateful for the 
.splendid .service rendered in behalf of that legislatiim by Mr. 
Ad.\>[.s. Whatever he Ijecame interested in he became a thor- 
ough student of, and ha\-ing devoted nuich time and study to 
that particular subject, he was able to be of great assistance in 
demon.strating the absolute necessity for that legislation and 
the equity and justness of its enactment. 

The people of the Second Congressional district of Wisconsin, 
appreciating his ability, elected him as their Representative in 
the Fifty-eighth Congress, and he was reelected to the Fifty- 
ninth. His principal committee a,s.signment was to the Commit- 
tee on Agriculture. To the work of that committee he l.)n)nght 
intelligent, broad-minded, comprehensive ideas. It was largely 
through his influence that the increased appropriation for the 
agricultural experiment stations through the country- was made, 
and, in fact, it ma>' truthfully be said that he alone was entitled 
to the credit for that legislation. His last great work as a mem- 
ber of that committee was in the preparation of what is known 
as "the meat-inspection act," passed at the last session ot this 
Congress. We know that Members of the House honestl>- dif- 
fered with each other over the provisions of that act. Each of 
us was desirous of the enactment of an effective law, and during 
the davs when the fate of that measure hung in the l)alance Mr. 



40 



McniorinI Adiircssrs: J fciirv Culloi . Idaiiis 



Adams, althi>ugh far from wl-II, ik-xnteil his every energy tu not 
only the perfection of the measure, but in harmonizing the dif- 
ferences between Members in order tliat the bill might become a 
law. His friends are pleased to know that the provisions of that 
bill which represented his convictions have stood the test of trial, 
and that the measiu'c is iirudncing beneficial results to the people 
and to the country. 

His work, however, was not confined to measures pending 
before the connnitlees of which he was a member. He took an 
active interest in all matters of legislation, and we all remember 
how pronounced was his oiijjosition to the I'hiliii]iine tariff bill 
and the joint statehood Ijill. 

Those who were closely associated with him knew that he 
regretted sincereh' the fact that his position on these two meas- 
ures put him in opposition to the Administration and to the 
leaders of his part>'on the floor of this H<iu.se. That, however, 
did not deter him from pursuing the course his juilgment 
dictated, and it is to his everlasting credit and honor that, as a 
legi.slator rejiresenting a district the e(iual in population and 
intelligence of any other district in the countrw he stood in 
this forum and defended their interests and their rights to the 
liest of his al)ility, regardless of its effect upon his own personal 
popularity with the membership of this House. He had 
made a careful stud\- of those two questions. His judgment 
was formed after mature and conscientious deliberation, and, 
having deciiled what he l)elicved \-\as the right course to 
pursue, he never faltered or wavered in the contest which was 
to follow. 

He was a sincere man, a courageous man, an honest man; 
therefore in the contests in which he engaged he fought openly 
and fairly, but forcefully, for his convictions. Differences of 
opinion u]>on matters of legislation were not permitted to inter- 



Address o/Mr. Davidson, of Wisconsin 41 

fere with his social and personal relations with Menil.iers, and 
those against whom he contended respected and honored him 
the more for having- heen loyal to his convictions. 

Lamentable, indeed, would be the condition if members of a 
legislative bodj' were to be influenced in their convictions either 
by the clamor which comes from the multitude or the glare 
which .surrounds those high in authority. He who without 
fear or favor pursues his course as his judgment dictates must 
in the end be given credit for conscientious service. This was 
characteristic of our departed colleague. During his long offi- 
cial career he di-scharged the duties of e\-ery position which he 
occupied from a firm conviction of the right, without fear or 
favor and without considering what the effect migiit be ui)nn his 
personal career. 

A few days before the close of the first session of the h'ifty- 
ninth Congress, realizing that he was far from well and that 
his arduous laliors here were undermining his strength, I per- 
sonally urged him to go away and rest for a few days, or e\-en 
to go home and remain for the balance of the session. This 
he determinedly declined to do, insisting that under no cir- 
cumstances would he leave his duties ,it the Capitol until the 
.session was ended. He remained at his post of duty watching 
carefuUv the legislation in which he was interested until it 
was finally enacted into law. Then, upon the adjournment of 
Congre.ss, he started for his home, where, with his family, he 
hopeil to tind rest and there regain his wasted strength and 
energy. But the task had been too severe, the strain too great. 
His weakened constitution gave way, and while en route to 
his home it was necessary for him to Ije taken to a hotel in 
Chicago, where, after a short illness, he passed away. Thus 
it mav be said of him, as of those who defend their country's 



42 Miii/orial Ac/drrs.s('s: Jh/iry C'////i// .Ii/it///s 

honor on the battlefield, he died with his armor on and in the 
service of the country he loved. 

In his death the nation lost an aljle, conscientious, and ear- 
nest le.i^islator. In his death the State of Wisconsin lost an 
upright, honorable citizen, one who had done much for it and 
its various interests. In his death tlie people of the Second 
Congressional district of Wisconsin lost not only an able Rep- 
resentati\-e, but a faithful servant, one who was always care- 
ful in attending to every duty and quick to respond to every 
request made by his constituents. He never neglected the pen- 
sion claim of an old soldier or a soldier's widow. The teachers 
and chiklren of the public schools always receivetl from him 
ever>' courtesy he could extend, and this was also true of all 
his constituents. To his wife and children the loss is still 
greater, and we deeply sympathize with them. They, however, 
have the consolation that in life he connnanded the respect, the 
admiration, and the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and, while 
they mourn sincerely his untimely death, they know that, after 
all, it is but the sleep from which he will awake in a brighter 
and better place, where pain and sickness enter not in. 



Address of Mr. Brozrii, a/ U'iscoiisi/i 43 



Address of Mr. Brown, of Wisconsin 

Mr. Speaker: I feci it my duty as a Representative of the 
vState of Wisconsin, and as a long-time friend, to add a word to 
what has already been so well said in remembrance of our late 
colleague, Hexry Cui.lkx Adams. 

My first acquaintance with him dates Ijack to the year 1870, 
when we were students together at the University of Wisconsin. 
For three >-ears I met him daih- — in the class room and upon the 
campus — and grew to recognize in him a young man of ability 
and great promise. 

' ' Cui.l^V ' ' Ad.\jis was a genial, vvhole-.souled fellow in college, 
well beloved by his fellow-students. He was a thoroughly con- 
scientious student, \\hii, when he had finished considering a sub- 
ject, had a complete understanding of it. He took high rank 
as a student and was considered among the ablest debaters m the 
institution at a time when debating societies flourished, and when 
the\- filled a most important jiart in rounding out the education 
of the young men of his time. 

He spent three years at the University of Wisconsin, but on 
account of ill health was unable to complete his college course. 
Thus it will l>e .seen that even in early manhood he suffered 
from the handicap of being afflicted with poor health, and it is 
not too much to say that from the time of his leaving the luii- 
versity to the day of his death he saw very few, if any, well 
days. Yet with all of this to contend with few of those who 
were his early a.ssociates have risen so high or accomplished so 
nuich in the about thirty-year period allotted to him for his life's 



44 Mtii/orial .liidri'sscs: Hiury Ciilhii Aiht)ns 

work. Kcw jnihlic men were more uni\-ersally known through- 
ont Wisconsin than lie, and his career was of interest to all; 
heuce it was with tuiiversal anxiety that the citizens of his State 
learned that he had l.)een stricken with illness while en route 
from the capital to his home at the end of the last session, and 
a feeling of deep sorrow was manifest when, after a few days of 
suffering, the end came. 

His public career consisted of two terms as member of assem- 
bh", six years as superintendent of public property; eight years 
as dair\- and food commissioner, and as a Member of the Fifty- 
eighth and I'"ifty-ninth Congre.sses. 

He was raised on a farm, and by stud\' and experience be- 
came a practical dairy farmer; hence he brought to his duties 
as dairv and food connnissioner a knowledge of the needs of the 
dairy interests of the State and ]iut that knowledge to jiractical 
use in administering the office, and in consequence performed 
his duties with ability and to the great advantage of the dairy 
interests of his State. lu'en before entering Congress and while 
he was yet a State official he made his impress on national leg- 
islation in l.>ehalf of the dairy interests of the country. Prt)b- 
ably no man, either in or out of Congress, exerci.sed as much 
influence in securing the pas.sage of the oleomargarine bill as 
did he. During the consideration (jf the liill by the committee 
he made exhaustive argument in behalf of the legislation and 
showed such liroad and jirofound knowledge of the subject that 
l)y the force of his logic he compelled attention and convinced 
the connnittee and Congress that the legislation was demanded. 

When he entered tlie Fift>--eighth Congre.ss he was well 
equipped to take \\\) his iluties jnomptly, and he introduced 
without dela\- what was known as the " agricidtural experi- 
ment-station bill" and secured the approval of the committee 
which authorized him to report it to the House, where it was 



Addi'i'ss of Mr. Brozcii^ of Jl'iscoiisin 45 

placed on the Calendar, but his effurts, though i>er>istenl, were 
unable to force consideration of the measure in that Con;j;ress. 
This was a great disappointment to him, but instead c:)f discour- 
aging him it ner\-ed him to greater effort. Even before the 
adjounnnent of the Fift\'-eighth Congress he had commenced a 
campaign throughout the country wliicli was destined to bring 
him victory. He solicited the suiijiort of agricultural colleges 
everywhere, and through his influence farmers' institutes dis- 
ctLssed the legislation, and as a result pressure was brought to 
bear until at the opening of the Fifty-ninth Congress, liecause 
of the universal demand, the biill was reported from the com- 
mittee and ]ia.s.sed without material opposition during its first 
session. This one important measure, which was enacted into 
law during his second Congress .solely liecause of his individual 
efforts, was an accomplishment which an>' Member could well 
be proud of securing, even after a long term of service. 

He also took a prominent part during the last session in 
securing the enactment of the pure-food law, it being admitted 
bv all that his technical knowledge of the subject and his clear 
conception of the need for governmental regulation was of great 
advantage to his associates in furmulating and passing the 
legislation, which is now conceded to be most practical and 
beneficial. 

He again came into prominence <luring the consideration of 
the meat-inspection pro\ision of the agricultural appropriation 
bill as the first session of the present Congress was nearing its 
close. It was generally conceded that his broad knowledge, 
sound judgment, honesty of purpose, and strong personality 
had much to do in smoothing out the differences which al times 
seemed to endanger the possibility of .securing adequate legis- 
lation. With less than two terms' service he had compelled 
legislation of the greatest importance and had taken rank with 



46 Memorial .Iddrcsscs: Henry Culleii .Idaiiis 

the best dehatfis in the House. His clear statement, sound 
logic, personal magnetism, and forcible and eloquent expression, 
together with the fact that he inwariably spoke with a purpose, 
enforced attention in this body, where it is so (HtTicult to secure 
listeners. 

In the death of Repre.sentative Ad.vms this House has lost an 
able, con.scientious Member, and his family, the country, the 
part\-, and his vState have suffered an irreparable loss. 



Address of Mr. Jenkins^ oj Wistonsiii 47 



Address of Mr. Jenkins, of Wisconsin 

Mr. Speakkr: It is an unpleasant <lut\' to liave \.c speak of 
the death of anyone, and I regard that duty calls upon me at 
this time for a few remarks. I feel as though I ought not to 
remain silent upon this mournful occasion. I appreciate that I 
can not add to what has already been said, but as duty calls 
upon us now it gives me jileasure to testify to the many excel- 
lent qualities of our late colleague, Hon. H. C. Adams. It was 
not ni}' good fortune to know him long and intimately as others 
have, as I only had a speaking acquaintance with him initil he 
was elected a Member of this House. I had seen him l)Ut few 
times prior to his membership, l)ut I knew enough of him to 
appreciate his worth and sincerely regret his death. 

As an active worker in many indu.strial ways I had heard of 
him long before I had the pleasure of meeting him. He was 
truly an excellent representative of a strong people — a man of 
excellent judgment. He was honest, intellectual, and capable; 
in many ways very progressive, a leader among strong men. 
He had long been an energetic, active friend of the people, fear- 
less in the di.scharo-e of every public duty. 

Understanding the need of the farmer, he devoted much time 
to the agricultural interests of the countr}', with great benefit to 
the people. He was admired and respected by all that knew 
him. During my acqtiaintance with him he appeared to be a 
sufferer from some disease that .seriously- impaired his health 
and retarded the progress he otherwise would have made. But 
during that time I never heard him utter one word of com- 



48 A/r/>/i'r/'i7/.liMrtssrs: Ilciirv Culltn Adams 

plaint, and his cliL-erfulness under the circunislanccs always 
made him a pleasant cnnipaiiii)n. 

Having been a tireless stu<lent, he was well read, a .splendi<l 
conversationalist. read\' debater, and well equipped for public 
service. As a colleague he was very much respected for his 
readiness to helji his State and his delegation. He never uttered 
one disrespectful wcjrI, alwa\s endea\-oring to harmonize dif- 
ficulties and promote good feeling. He came from a sjilendid 
family. I knew his father well, for I had the honor of ser\ing 
in the le.gislature of our State with him. 

Mr. Ai).\MS was popular among those who knew him. and his 
circle of acquaintance was large, his friends many. The testi- 
monials at his death evidenced his higli standing, and that his 
home people realized his death was a great loss to them, as well 
as a loss to our State. His earl\- death Avas the direct result of 
his untiring efforts to .ser\'e the peo])le as a Member of this 
House. He uexx-r fa\-ored himself at the exjjense of the jieople, 
and his desire was always to do his dut^' regardless of the effect 
upon himself. We all know how rapidly he grew in influence 
and power. At the time Mr. Ad.vjis left Washington to return 
to his home for a nuich-needed rest he had as bright and as 
honorable future as any ^Memljcr of this House. The news of 
his sickness and death was a shock to his man>- friends. 

It is a dut\' we owe to the name and memory of a good man 
to place on record our opinions of him. His life was a shining 
example of what industr>' and honesty can accomplish, and it 
was a painful matter that, after having served his people and 
counti'\' so well, he could not lie permitted to return to his 
family and home he loved before having to dep.irt this life. 

Mr. Ad.-v.ms more than filled the measure of life and reached 
an honorable and distinguished maidiood. A happ}' home was 
robbed of a loved husband and father. Que of the important 



Address o/^fr. Jenkins, n/ U'i scon sin 49 

Congrtssioiial districts in the State lost a ilistin.^aiishecl Repre- 
sentative, the people an able and trustworthy friend. I know 
i do not make it too strong when I say his early and untimely 
death was not only a great loss, Init that it was sincerely 
mourned l)y the entire membership of the Fift\--ninth Congress. 

11. Doc. Suy, 59-2 4 



50 Memorial Addresses: Henry Citllen Adams 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE 

Tl'ESDAV, Dcirmlur ^, iqo6. 

Mr. CuLi.OJi. Mr. President, I ask that the resolutions of 
the House of Representatives relative to the death of the late 
Representative H. C. Adams, of Wiscon.sin, may he laid Viefore 
the Senate. 

The Vick-Pkksidknt. The Chair lays Ijefore the Senate 
resolutions of the House of Representatives, which will be read. 

The Secretary read the resolutions, as follows: 

In THK Hol'SR OK RKrRHSENT.\TIVES, 

Peci'iiiher 3, /go6. 

Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of the death 
of Hon. H. C. .-\I>AMS, a Representative from the State of Wisconsin. 

A'rsohn/, That as a further mark <>i respect to the memory .if the 
deceased this House ilo now ailjourn. 

Mr. Spoonkk. Mr. President, I offer the resolution I send to 

the desk. 

The Vick-Pkksidknt. The vSenator from Wisconsin propo.ses 
a resolution, which will he read. 

The resolution was read, and unanimously agreed to, as fol- 
lows: 

Resolved, That the Senate hasheard with deep sensil«lity the announce- 
tneut of the deatli of Hon. H, C. .Apainis, a Representative from the State 
of Wisconsin. 

Mr. Lonr.K. Mr. President, 1 also offer another resolution. 

The \'ick-Prksidext. The Senator from Ma.ssachusetts pro- 
poses an additional resolution, which will he read. 

The resolution was read, as follows: 

Resolved, That as an additional mark of respect to the memory of the 
deceased the Senate do now adjourn. 



Proceed ii/j^s in the Senate 51 

Tlie resolution was unanimously agreed to; and ( at 2 o'clock 
and 55 minutes p. m. ) the vSenate adjourned initil tomorrow, 
Wednesday, December 5, 1906. at 12 o'clock meridian. 

Friday, Mareh i. iqoj. 

Mr. Spooner. I de.sire to give notice that to-morrow I shall 

ask the Senate to take up and consider resolutions relative to 

the death of the late Hon. Henrv C. Ad,\ms, a Representative 

in Congress from Wi.scon.sin. 

Saturday, March 2, tqoj. 

The \'ick-President laid before the Senate the following 

resolutions from the House of Repre.sentatives ; which were 

read : 

In thk HorsK of Reprkskntativks, 

J'ebniary 24, igo^. 

Rcsolzvd, That the business of the House be now suspended that oppor- 
tunity may be fjiven for tributes to tlie memory of Hon. Hkxrv C Ad.\ms, 
late a Member of this House from the State of Wisconsin. 

A'e'solvfd, That as a particular mark of respect to the memory- of the 
deceased and in recognition of his distinguished public career the House, 
at the conclusion of the exerci.ses of this day, shall stand adjourned. 

Resolz'cd, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate. 

Resolird, That the Clerk send a copy of these resolutions to the family 
of the deceased. 

Mr. Si'OOXER. Mr. Pre.sident, I offer the resolutions which 
I .send to the desk, and ask their adoption. 

The Vice-President. The resolutions will be read. 

The resolutions were read, and unanimously agreed to, as 
follows : 

Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow the announce- 
ment of the death of Hon. Hknrv C. .\ii-\ms, late a Member of the House 
of Representatives from the State of Wisconsin. 

Resolird, That the business of the Senate be now suspended, in order 
that fitting tribute be paid to his memory. 



52 



A/f///(ir/(i/ .li/i/rrssrs: Hcinv Cullcit Adams 



MEMORIAL ADDRESS 



Address of Mr. Spooner, of Wisconsin 

Mr. Pkesidkxt; The angel of death has l.)een \-er\- l>us>- 
ainong the Members of the Fifty-ninth Congress. Many times 
we ha\-e 1jeen summoned, giving pause to the public business, 
to stand by the open gra\'e of a comrade in the i)ul)lic ser\-ice 
who has died in the line of duty. In this roll of the dead is 
the name of one of Wisconsin's best-l(3ved and most-trusted 
citizens, the Hon. Henry Cullkn Adams, late a Member of 
the Hou.se of Representatives from the Second district, who was 
stricken on his journe\ homeward, and in Chicago on Monday, 
the i)th <if Julv last, sank into "that sinless, stirless rest which 
we call death. 

It is mv l;>elief that but for his spirit of self-sacrifice and 
nn>ielding devotion to dut\- as a legislator he might have 
been still among us. I saw him often during the last week of 
the session, ill and weary, Imt intensel>' interested, as a leading 
member of the Committee on Agriculture, in the pure-food and 
agricultural appropriation liills, each containing novel and impor- 
tant jiropositions which he deemed of vital consequence to the 
jieople, and the success t.if which he promoted with unflagging 
S])irit and unceasing personal effort. The end of the session 
left him, in the reaction from its activity and excitement, an easy 
victim to any acute physical ailment. In our last conversation 
he spoke of his unutterable longing for the rest and companion- 



Address of Afr. Spoonrr, of U'iscoitsiii 53 

shipof hiiine and its surniuiKlings of rare- l)caut\-. In the ]ii'(i\i- 
deuce of God he was never again to behold it, but his wasted 
body was borne by loving hands, amid the tears of the thousands 
who had known and loved him, to the resting place which he 
had long ago chosen. 

Mr. Adam.s was born November 28, 1S50, at Verona, Oneida 
Connt\-, N. Y. He removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 
185 1, attended the Albion Academy one year and the Ihiiversity 
of Wisconsin three years, lieing compelled by frail health to 
forego the amljition to graduate with honor in his class, which 
no one doubted he would have attained. 

He was a member of the Wisconsin legislative assembly two 
terms, from 1SS3 to 18S7, and from the beginning of his ser\-ice 
was a distinguished and useful member of that body. 

He .served a time as vState superintendent of puljlic propert\', 
and was dairy and food commis.sioner of Wisconsin from i8()4 to 
1902. It is .safe to say that there was not in any State a dair> 
and food commi.ssioner who excelled him in aptitude for the 
work or in ability to perform it, if, indeed, his equal \\as an\- 
where to be found. 

He was elected to the Fifty-eightli Congress and reelected to 
the Fiftv-ninth Congress from the Second district, his home be- 
ing at Madison, the capital of the .State, which also is the home 
of my colleague and myself. 

Mr. A I.) .-VMS was married on the 15th of October, iSy.S, to Miss 
Anna B. Norton, and his home life was always a charming and 
happy one. 

He couhl look back upon an ancestry in which were great 
names celebrated for learning, eloquence, and distinguished pub- 
lic service to the whole country. I knew his father well and 
entertained for him great admiration. He was a scientific 
farmer, many times a memlier of the legislature, and a man of 



54 Meviorial .Iddrcsscs: Hiiirv Culhii Ada)ns 

mark and iiulividuality in a liixh' in which were a larjje nnniher 
of the ablest men in the State. He was an entrancing speaker. 
His voice was musical and his diction perfect. A verj- modest 
man, who never talked of himself, it used to be marveled that 
" Farmer Adams" was .so scholarU- and .so eloquent. But Ben- 
jamin Franklin Adams was one of the earlier j.(raduates of 
Hamilton College, New York, and for some years profes.sor of 
Greek and Latin in that institution. He would have been emi- 
nent at the bar or in public life, but he preferred the life of the 
farm and the intelligent and .scientific pursuit of agriculture. 
The last time I ever saw him was at a Psi Upsilon banquet, the 
first he had attended for over forty years and at which he was 
the guest of honor. In an hour he grew young again and made 
an address of great l)eaut>-. In a little time he died. 

On the farm and under the tutelage of such a father, Hknkv 
Gulden Adams spent his youth, and was well taught, before 
entering college, in history, the languages, literature, rhetoric, 
and agriculture in its theoretical and practical phases. Here 
he imbibed an aljiding love for agriculture, a thorough knowl- 
edge of the needs of the farmer, and a ,sincere devotion to his 
interests. His life work was largely dedicated to the service 
of agriculture. He was a man of large constructive ability, an 
admirable logician, of analytical, yet liroad, mind, and the 
author of man\- laws enacted in Wisconsin and other States in 
the interest of agriculture. He spoke in many States in advo- 
cacy of pure-food laws and of the dairy interests of the country. 
There was no field or phase of agriculture in which he had 
not been a student and ujion which he could not write and 
speak instructively and with great ability. 

He was a Republican always. He loved politics of a decent, 
manly .sort, and he was one of the most interesting and popular 



Address of Mr. Spooiicr, of ll'isronsii/ 55 

exponents of the principles and policies of the party which he 
loved who ever appeared upon the hustiiiK^^ i" the Northwest. 

He was a broad-minded man, full of charity for all men and 
tolerant of differences of opinion, and, although a partisan, he 
found no warrant because of difference of opinion upon party 
principles and public policies for impeaching the patriotism or 
sincerity of his opponents. 

It had been, Mr. President, to my knowledge, the ambition 
of his life to become a member of the national House of Rep- 
resentatives, and he was admirably equipped in ever>' way to 
render to the country great and conspicuous service as a national 
legislator. During the too brief period which he served here he 
exhibited in a high degree strength as an original thinker, an 
eloquent and resourceful debater, a high order of constructive 
statesmanship, an unconquerable spirit, a geniality which won 
the affectionate regard of his a.ssociates in both parties, and 
made it certain that, with health and years of service, he could 
easily achieve a lofty eminence in the field of national legislation. 
His whole life, Mr. President, was pathetic, in this, that it was 
the con.stant struggle of a dauntless spirit with liodily weakness. 
In the last session which he attended he made great impres- 
sion upon the body of which he was a member, and won the re- 
.spect and admiration of the President and members of his Cab- 
inet. I ha\-e more than once dwelt with peculiar pleasure, since 
he was laid to rest at ' ' Forest Hill, " near by the home which he 
had Iniilded for himself and family, and in which he had .spent 
.so many happy years, upon the fact that I was able in the last 
conversation I had with him, as we sat in our cloak room, to 
repeat in his presence the friendly and flattering words spoken 
of him by the President in conversation with me an hour before. 
The\- brought color into his pale cheeks and a new light to his 
tired eves. 



56 .]/i'///i>i/ii/ . l{M;-rssrs.- J/iJ/zy Citllfii .Idaiiis 

He spoke ahvax's with persuasive eloquence. ;ui(l wlien 
aroused, with ifreat power, and witli a vocal3ular\- which was 
simple and quite classic. 

His body was frail, but his will was strong; his ambition was 
keen and honorable, and his spirit was unconquerable. He pos- 
sessed a rare sense of humor and was a delightful comixmion, a 
faithful friend, and (piick an<l tender in his sympathies. 

It was altogether characteristic of him and of his life that the 
first legislative jinrpose which he developed and pursued in Con- 
gress to successful consunnnation was an enlargement of the 
aiijirojiriation for the su])port c.if agricultural colleges ancl exjjeri- 
ment .stations, the \-alue of which t" the farmers of the country, 
and therefore to the people nf the country, he knew as well, if 
not better, than any other man of my acquaintance. 

He was a man of strong convictions, and when conunitted 
upon a polic>' or jirinciple which he thought was right he was 
aksolutely un.shakable. He was opposed to the compulsory 
joinder of two Territories into one State, and no power or plead- 
ing could move him from his position. And that, Mr. President, 
was characteristic of him, although he was as free from \\hat 
men commonly call obstinac>" as any man I ever knew. 

He died too soon, but — 

Death is tlii- ilT(i|i]>iin; of the flower that the fruit n\A\ swell. 

Wisconsin will not forget his shining iiualities and his splen- 
did ]iublic services, and her good peii]>lc will teuderlv clicrish 
his memory. 

Mv colleague [.Mr. La Follette] , who was a lifelong friend of 
Mr. Al).\MS, is. In his sorrow, pre\'ented from joining in the 
tribute to him this exxning because of illne.ss. 

o 



